James Whale, the veteran radio presenter who was sacked from TalkSport in the run-up to the London mayoral election, has been signed by London radio station LBC.
Whale joins the news and talk station on 17 August, where he will present a week of programmes on a trial basis, standing in for late-night host Clive Bull.
TalkSport terminated Whale’s contract in May, claiming he had urged listeners to vote for Boris Johnson, the victorious conservative candidate in the race for London mayor.
It said the opinionated presenter – who had worked for the station since its launch in 1995 – had broken Ofcom rules on political impartiality.
The matter is still being investigated by the media regulator, Ofcom.
LBC has also announced the signing of former London mayor Ken Livingstone to present a regular weekly discussion programme from 30 August.
The announcement follows Livingstone’s debut as a radio presenter earlier this year, when he provided holiday cover for the weekday afternoon show.
The LBC programme director, Jonathan Richards, said: “James Whale is a class act who appreciates the art of great conversation and revels in a commercial radio environment.
“Ken Livingstone brings unique insight after eight years as mayor. His week on LBC earlier this year displayed his passion for London.”
Livingstone’s show will be broadcast on Saturdays between 10am and 2pm.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
